Distributed game environment
US6701344B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/1854
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A broadcast technique in which a broadcast channel overlays a point-to-point communications network is provided. The broadcasting of a message over the broadcast channel is effectively a multicast to those computers of the network that are currently connected to the broadcast channel. In one embodiment, the broadcast technique provides a logical broadcast channel to which host computers through their executing processes can be connected. Each computer that is connected to the broadcast channel can broadcast messages onto and receive messages off of the broadcast channel. Each computer that is connected to the broadcast channel receives all messages that are broadcast while it is connected. The logical broadcast channel is implemented using an underlying network system (e.g., the Internet) that allows each computer connected to the underlying network system to send messages to each other connected computer using each computer's address. Thus, the broadcast technique effectively provides a broadcast channel using an underlying network system that sends messages on a point-to-point basis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.